Article

Parkinson's disease is a chronic, neurodegenerative disease
characterized by gait abnormalities. Freezing of gait (FOG), an episodic
inability to generate effective stepping, is reported as one of the most
disabling and distressing parkinsonian symptoms. While there are no specific
therapies to treat FOG, some external physical cues may alleviate these types of
motor disruptions. The purpose of this study was to examine the potential effect
of continuous physical cueing using robot-assisted sensorimotor gait training on
reducing FOG episodes and improving gait. METHODS: Four individuals with
Parkinson's disease and FOG symptoms received ten 30-minute sessions of
robot-assisted gait training (Lokomat) to facilitate repetitive, rhythmic, and
alternating bilateral lower extremity movements. Outcomes included the
FOG-Questionnaire, a clinician-rated video FOG score, spatiotemporal measures of
gait, and the Parkinson's Disease Questionnaire-39 quality of life measure.
RESULTS: All participants showed a reduction in FOG both by self-report and
clinician-rated scoring upon completion of training. Improvements were also
observed in gait velocity, stride length, rhythmicity, and coordination.
CONCLUSIONS: This pilot study suggests that robot-assisted gait training may be a
feasible and effective method of reducing FOG and improving gait. Videotaped
scoring of FOG has the potential advantage of providing additional data to
complement FOG self-report.

Langue : ANGLAIS